LAnd rights

[Minne]

I have owned my terraced property for nearly 10 years (October). The street is unadopted and we are responsible or the 10 feet infront of the houses. Across the pathway there are gardens. We do not own the gardens but the council appear not to have know about the land. One of the residents has tended her garden for 50 years, they all have been tended for at least 20 years (time has accrued as the properties have been buoight and sold), quite openly. Last week we all recieved a letter (15 houses) giving us options on the land, ie rental, purchase or residents association - we have 28 days to reply, but there is a paragraph stating that we must all agree to the same course of action. The prices quoted seem inflated and also include a quote ofr �300 each for survey and legal documents, there are a significant propoioin of pensioners on the row who would be unable to afford the purchase or legal fees. We fear that the council intends to sell the land to the adjacent medical centre for car parking. This will ruin the aspect of the street, which is well known for its appearance. Does anyone have any ideas as to our rights?